Sport

RACING: Jarvis to fight on as BHA rejects training licence

Alan Jarvis, who is based at Twyford, near Bicester, plans to appeal against the British Horseracing Authority’s decision to reject his request for a full training licence.

The BHA’s licensing committee announced yesterday that the 75-year-old handler would not be granted a full licence, although he will be allowed to operate on a temporary one until next month.

Jarvis, whose training career spans more than 40 years, plans to contest the decision, with the BHA confirming he has seven days in which to lodge his appeal.

A statement issued on the trainer’s behalf by barrister Roderick Moore read: “Mr Jarvis is deeply disappointed that the licensing committee has seen fit to remove his licence after many decades of successful training.

“Unless the decision is overturned on appeal, it will be catastrophic for him and his family and all those that work at Mill Race Stables.

“He intends to appeal.

“He does not intend to make further comment until his appeal is heard. In the meantime, he has been granted a temporary licence pending appeal.”

The BHA confirmed that Jarvis will be able to continue to train until April 25 on the temporary licence, with the reasons for its decision to be released in due course.

A statement said the licensing committee had determined that Jarvis was not a suitable person to hold a licence.

Jarvis, whose training career began in 1969, has saddled more than 750 winners.

His best-known horses include Derring Rose, Hill Of Slane, Kildimo, Jardines Lookout, Mixed Blessing and Navajo Chief, who is among his current string of 33 horses.

He has been based at Twyford since 2004, having previously trained at Aston Upthorpe, near Didcot.

However, he was declared bankrupt last September over a debt owed to Doncaster Bloodstock Sales Limited, which is reported to amount to several hundred thousand pounds.

The order was issued by Aylesbury County Court, and the matter relates to a number of yearlings that Jarvis bought at the sales in 2005.